The Australian teenage athletes who have made us proud so far this year
Title wins, injury comebacks, career milestones and a few who are banging down the door for professional contracts – meet the Aussie sporting teens who have made us smile this year.
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We are only halfway through the year but already numerous teenage sporting talents are shining.
Title wins, injury comebacks, career milestones and a few who are banging down the door for professional contracts – these are the teens who are have reached some seriously impressive goals in their young careers to date.
Here, we celebrate some of the young stars who have impressed and made us proud through 2023.
If there’s a sporty teen you believe deserves a mention, leave us a comment below.
NSW
Sienna-Estelle Burraston
Age: 12
City/state: South West Sydney
Sport: Rugby League
Sienna-Estelle created history after becoming the first girl to be chosen in the NSW PSSA Development Squad following her efforts in the second row for South West Sydney who claimed the open title.
A multi-sport star in Australian rules, rugby union and athletics, the Bradbury Public School student has been just as impressive off the field as she has been on it, with the school captain leading by example in multiple roles.
Sienna Clarke
Age: 16
City/State: South Coast, NSW
Sport: Golf
Took out back-to-back Junior Masters in March, swooping to the title at the Blue Mountains then Bathurst. She is quickly rising up the junior golf ranks in NSW as a result.
Tallyn Da Silva
Age: 18
City/state: Sydney/NSW
Sport: Rugby League
Last season teenage rugby league sensation Tallyn Da Silva packed into the same scrum with his old man for the East Campbelltown Eagles.
Just under 12 months later and with all the junior rep boxes ticked, the 18-year-old ran out to the screams of over 150 family members in a memorable NRL debut for the Wests Tigers.
Lachlan Galvin
Age: 18
City: Sydney, NSW
Sport: Rugby League
Had a breakout ASSRL National campaign for the NSWCHS side. He led the team with precision and unpredictability at five-eighth. He was impressive with ball in hand and made many decent defences look all at sea. Gives the Tigers fans a reason to hope.
Jacob Halangahu
Age: 17
City: Sydney, NSW
Sport: Rugby League
In a team full of explosive forwards, Halangahu managed to truly stand out for NSWCCC at the ASSRL Nationals. The bulldozing prop finished with player of the carnival honours and also a futures contract at the Dragons. Put him in the black book now.
Caitlyn Halse
Age: 16
City/state: Sydney, NSW
Sport: Rugby
Became the youngest ever Waratah to play Super Rugby at 16 years and 187 days and then cracked the Australian Wallaroos, playing her first Test in May.
Extremely talented forward still juggling school with her sport and approached by numerous clubs to play NRLW.
Halse has a dream of playing Rugby Sevens at the Olympics.
Max Jorgensen
Age: 18
City/state: Sydney, NSW
Sport: Rugby
The 18-year-old went from schools rugby to Super Rugby in less than a year when he scored two tries on debut for the Waratahs in 2023.
It was a big win for rugby union over rugby league when the sport secured the signature of one of the most talented football youngsters in the game in Australia.
The precociously talented son of former NRL and rugby union gun Peter Jorgensen was in the running to play for the Wallabies at the World Cup but a recent knee injury has made this unlikely.
Josh Kerr
Age: 17
City/state: Manly/NSW
Sport: Swimming
Flattened by a bout of Covid so bad it inflamed his heart, Manly swimmer Josh Kerr thought his world junior championships dream had gone up in smoke.
In a remarkable turnaround on limited preparation, the 17-year-old won six medals at the nationals and will now take to the blocks in Israel next September in 200m individual medley.
Finau Latu
Age: 17
City: Sydney, NSW
Sport: Rugby League
The Patrician Brothers Blacktown prop forward was near-on unstoppable at the ASSRL Nationals as he helped propel NSW CCC to their first national crown in almost a decade. The nephew of Solomon Haumono possesses the strength and power to make most NRL players blush.
Connor Maggs
Age: 17
City/state: Sydney, NSW
Sport: Surf life saving
This Newport teenager, also a talented swimmer, won eight gold and one silver medal over five days of competition at the Australian surf life saving championships in Perth to win Athlete of the Meet.
His haul included four individual crowns snared during a purple patch on the final day – the U17 surf, single ski, iron and board race.
He also won the open board rescue, ski relay, surf teams and Taplin.
An injury call up to the Nutri-Grain iron professional series earlier in the year, Maggs saved his best for last with his stunning performances at the Aussies
Just 17, one of his most extraordinary feats was winning an open Australian crown in the board relay with Newport teammates Charlie Brooks.
Indie Parkes
Age: 13
City/State: Illawarra, NSW
Sport: Football
Indie has been selected on a football tour to play in Europe at the end of the year, having only picked up the sport a year ago.
Her story is made all the more interesting because she suffers from type one diabetes, facing the added challenges that come with that her whole life.
Ashanti Pennell
Age: 19
City/state: Baradine/Sydney
Sport: Rugby League
A seven-hour drive for a trial ultimately paid off for Ashanti, with the talented young player from Baradine trying her hand at a spot in the Wests Tigers Tarsha Gale Cup team.
Her gamble paid off, earning her place in the side and stamping herself as one of the more consistent players in the side.
She has since gone on to play open footy with Narellan as she continues to chase her NRLW dream.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Waylon Davey
Age: 16
City: Darwin
Sport: Aussie rules
You would be hard-pressed to find a rising footy star with better pedigree than Waylon Davey considering with three Motlop and two Davey uncles having played in the AFL.
A couple of years ago he made his debut in the Palmerston forward line sharing goal kicking duties with AFL legend Eddie Betts, where he upstaged his mentor snapping a goal with his very first touch.
Plucked directly out of the under-16s to premier grade in the NTFL the young gun was always expected to be a talent and is regarded as one of the best among the NT Thunder prospects.
Has since started his stint at Xavier College, where his now AFL-listed cousins Alwyn Davey Jr and Jayden Davey began to make a name for themselves.
Aiden McKenney
Age: 15
City: Darwin
Sport: Basketball
One of the rising stars of the NT basketball scene stamping his authority in the under-16s division one tournament.
The Ansett player averaged 40 points a game and netted a stunning 606 points across the 2022-23 season, including a 65 point showing against the Darwin Eagles.
The Territory product now has his sights keenly on getting into NBL1 side Darwin Salties.
Tom Menzies
Age: 17
City: Darwin
Sport: Cricket
Talked up as the biggest prospect in Territory cricket all-rounder Menzies has talent enough to take his game as far as he wants to.
The young gun from Darwin Cricket Club was named in the Team of Champions at the Under-17 national carnival in Tasmania earlier this year having taken 10 wickets at an average of 17.
Best hauls included 4/48 against South Australia and 2/19 against Queensland in a match where he said “everything clicked”.
Still has plenty of growing to do but having taught himself to bowl with both hands is one to keep an eye on into the future.
Tatyana Perry
Age: 17
City: Darwin
Sport: Aussie rules
The young Palmerston product very quickly made her presence known in her NTFL premier league debut scoring three goals in a win over the Tiwi Bombers.
A long time success story through the junior ranks winning medals in just about every age grade it was little wonder she would make her mark at the top level.
And make her mark she did scoring 20 goals for the season, even though her team didn’t make finals, and winning the Rising Star award.
Macey Sheridan
Age: 13
City: Darwin
Sport: Swimming
The young swimming sensation took the country by storm earlier this year pulling in a haul of gold medals at the Australian Age Group Swimming Championships.
The Darwin swimming club member showed what Top End swimmers are made of winning five golds in a standout tournament.
Her 100m backstroke was most impressive clocking a time of 1:03.69, just more than a second shy of the Australian record set by Olympic superstar Kaylee McKeown in 2015.
She went on to be the youngest competitor at the World Championship Trials in Melbourne where she managed some admirable performances.
QUEENSLAND
Albert An
Age: 16
City: Cairns
Sport: Swimming
Albert An produced one of the great comebacks to win gold at the 2023 Australian Age Championships.
The TAS Swimming superfish was sitting in eighth spot turning into the final 50m of the 100m Breaststroke when he made his move, flying home to become a national champion.
He followed up that effort to claim the 100m national title a day later.
Javon Andrews
Age: 17
City: Brisbane
Sport: Rugby league
The Marsden SHS Langer Trophy five-eight has risen from a broken neck to make the 2023 Met East rep side and play a big role in his school team leading the elite Langer Trophy competition.
In 2021 Andrews slammed into a goalpost playing club league at Souths Acacia playing Logan Brothers.
“It was 2mm away from being a career ending injury,’’ Andrew said.
“I didn’t play last year and when I played my first game back this year, I was not as confident as I used to be, but I am feeling better now. I am grateful to be playing with Marsden SHS.’’
Teyahna Bond
Age: 16
City: Cairns
Sport: Basketball
The Far North hooper has long been considered a talent to watch in basketball circles.
The 16-year-old has played for Cairns Dolphins in the NBL1 North over the past two seasons, and earlier this year was invited to the Basketball Without Borders program in Abu Dhabi.
Mutua Brown
Age: 18
City/state: Rockhampton, Queensland
Sport: Rugby league
The fleet-footed fullback is one of the hottest young prospects in the game. The Cathedral College student, who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, has made every post a winner this year.
The Innisfail-raised speedster has been an integral member of the CQ Capras under-18 and under-21 squads, and starred for Queensland at the Australian Secondary School Rugby League championships to earn national selection.
He also played with the Maroons under-19 State of Origin team.
Holly Comyns
Age: 17
City: Logan, Queensland
Sport: Netball
The dominant Holly Comyns is one of few defenders of her age who can pull off a rejection without giving away penalties.
It makes life tough for her opposition, which is why she received MVP of the grand final and MVP of her school’s side (voted by opposition coaches) at this year’s QISSN tournament.
The teen has made several appearances for the Tigers’ Sapphire team alongside Firebirds training partner Isabelle Shearer.
Tia Crombie
Age: 17
City: Logan, Queensland
Sport: Netball
Crombie is no stranger to donning the maroon, having represented Queensland in 2022 and 2023 and through the School Representative pathways of U15s and U19 thrice.
She has played an integral role for the Carina League Club Tigers those same years as goal shooter in the HART Sapphire Series (Ruby Series).
At 195cm and still growing, Crombie is without a doubt on her way to the professional ranks, especially with a superb team of coaches backing her.
Mary Duncan
Age: 15
City: Toowoomba
Sport: Equestrian
The 15-year-old Toowoomba equestrian rider and her horse Bonnybrooke Samarai wrote their names into the Tom Quilty history books earlier this year. The star duo won the junior division of Australia’s premier endurance equestrian event, a 160km trek through the countryside around Imbil Crossing, but the accolades. Proving just how accomplished a rider she is and how much she cares for her trusty steed -Bonnybrooke Samurai picked up the coveted Pat Slater Cup – the first time a junior horse has ever won the cup.
Jason Hallie
Age: 18
City: Innisfail
Sport: Rugby league
The barnstorming forward has signed a deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs to join the Black Rabbits Elite Player Development program.
The prop, who plays for Innisfail Leprechauns in the FNQRL A-grade competition, captured widespread attention after he bustled over for four tries for the Northern Pride’s Mal Meninga Cup side.
Sienna Harmsworth
Age: 12
City/state: Rockhampton, Queensland
Sport: Hockey
The Wanderers Hockey Club junior has continued her impressive form in 2023. The talented midfielder captained the Capricornia 10-12 years schoolgirls team to a silver medal at the state championships. That performance earned her selection in the Queensland team to contest the nationals in Hobart from July 31 to August 4. Sienna will don the maroon again in September when she plays with the Queensland under-13 girls at the nationals in Newcastle.
Evie King
Age: 14
City/state: Toowoomba, Qld
Sport: Softball
An up-and-coming catcher, King was stoked after learning she was selected to represent her state and country this year. After being name in the Queensland Country, King was also selected in the U14 Oz Ball Aussie Drop Bears side. She’s currently in Florida with the Bears playing in the ‘Babe Ruth World Series League – U14 Softball World Series America’.
Lachlan McNamee
Age: 17
City/state: Toowoomba, Qld
Sport: Swimming
McNamee has defied the odds and exceeded his own expectations this year.
Living with CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), a genetic condition that affects his calves and lower legs, McNamee placed third at this year’s Australian Swimming Age Championships in the 16-18 years multi-class 50m butterfly. He recorded a personal best in the same race at the 2023 World Championship Trials in June.
Karen Messmer
Age: 16
City/state: Rockhampton, Queensland
Sport: Equestrian
Spirited teenager Karen Messmer has defied the odds to star on the international sporting stage. Born 15 weeks early and weighing just 824 grams in 2006, doctors gave her little chance of survival.
She overcame countless medical challenges to be selected to represent Australia at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin. Karen, who has autism, attention deficit disorder and hypotonia, won gold in the trail event, silver in dressage and bronze in equestrian.
Lexie Mueller
Age: 13
City: Gold Coast, Queensland
Sport: Golf
Lexie Mueller is making massive strokes in her golfing career that many adults can only dream of.
In early July the young gun made her first eagle on a par 4 of the 11th hole at Surfers Paradise Gold Club.
The next week she then backed up an incredible performance to place Nett Runner Up at the 51st South Pacific Women’s Open Classic on the same course.
Olivia Olechnowicz
Age: 14
City: Brisbane, Queensland
Sport: Basketball
She was a defensive gun at the Under-14 club champs last year, but Double O added an attacking string to her already impressive bow at the Under-16 nationals. Playing up an age group, the wing dominated for Queensland South averaging a tournament-high 22 points per game.
Jake Piper
Age: 19
City/state: Sunshine Coast/QLD
Sport: Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts talent Jake Piper has continued his dominance in the octagon, adding a second title to his mantle and doing so just weeks after the death of a close friend. Piper, who is coached by Ryan Dunstan of Ignite Martial Arts in Caloundra, took home the Showdown Pacific Bantamweight Championships after knocking out his opponent in the opening round. He is also the current XFC Bantamweight Champion and an Oceania gold medal recipient.
Maroochydore Swans U16s
Age: U16
City/state: Sunshine Coast/QLD
Sport: Rugby Union
A junior Sunshine Coast rugby union team finally had their incredible winning streak ended after more than 1000 days and three undefeated premierships. After losing the under-12 grand final, the Maroochydore Swans put together a record of 48 games undefeated, winning the under-13, under-14 and under-15 titles.
Paige and Cohen Robinson
Age: 18 and 16
City/state: Sunshine Coast/QLD
Sport: Boxing
It’s a continuous battle for family bragging rights in the Robinson household with both Noosa teenagers representing Australia at the Oceania Boxing Championships in May. What started out as friendly ‘lounge room punch-ons’ has now turned to a serious and professional goal for both junior talents.
Josh Shanahan
Age: 17
City/state: Sunshine Coast/QLD
Sport: Duathlon
A rising Sunshine Coast sporting talent has quickly made his mark on the international stage after winning bronze in the Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships in Ibiza, Spain on April 29.
St Teresa’s Catholic College student Josh Shanahan competed in the under 16-19 sprint division and was the only Australian to compete.
After suffering a loose bike chain, Shanahan clawed his way back to finish on the podium for the event which featured a 7.6km run and 18.6km cycle.
Ciara Storch
Age: 17
City: Dysart, Queensland
Sport: Boxing
Ciara hails from the small country town of Dysart, about 240km south of Mackay, yet she’s one of Australian boxing’s next big things.
A product of her dad’s Dig Deep Competitive Boxing club, her record speaks for itself: she’s an Oceania Champion, two-time Australian Champion, five-time Golden Gloves Champion, and six-time State Champion.
This year alone, she’s won gold at all of the Queensland, Australian, and Oceania Championships, as well as being crowned ‘Best Female Youth Fighter’ at the Australian Championships. Her record’s 29-2, and her last loss came all the way back in May of 2017. Remember the name.
Shaneice Swain
Age: 19
City: Cairns
Sport: Basketball
Swain became the first Far North talent to be taken in the WNBA Draft when the LA Sparks took the 19-year-old guard with the 14th overall pick – the first time the WNBA franchise has selected a player from Australia.
It was a monumental moment in the history of Australian hoops, let alone Cairns, as the proud Yupangathi and Gangalidda/Gooreng Gooreng woman was selected in the second round.
Kaylin Van Greunen
Age: 17
City: Toowoomba
Sport: Netball
The Downlands College and Bond University Bull Sharks (Hart Sapphire Series) sharpshooter is arguably one of Australia’s brightest young netball talents. Van Greunen, who has been a constant on the Queensland representative scene, was recently named in the 2023/24 Australian U19 squad. Tall, athletic, hardworking and humble she is an inspiration to all those around her.
Ben Wenzel
Age: 16
City: Cairns
Sport: Wheelchair tennis
One of the brightest wheelchair tennis prospects in the country, Wenzel led the Australian wheelchair tennis team in their World Team Cup defence in Portugal.
Recently won the boys’ singles title at the Queensland Wheelchair Open and is currently ranked No. 6 in the world.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Keira Gardiner
Age: 14
City: Adelaide, SA
Sport: Basketball
The Forestville Eagles young gun took the Under-16 National Basketball Championships by storm. She won the gold medal with the SA Metro side, and was crucial in the grand final with a 29-point, 11-rebound double double.
Ilia Horiahin
Age: 13
City/state: Adelaide
Sport: Men’s artistic gymnastics
A keen and successful gymnast, Horiahin is a Ukrainian refugee who settled in South Australia after the war broke out in 2022 and continued his sporting endeavours at Tea Tree Gully Gymsports.
Throughout his time in SA he has qualified for team SA after finishing top in his age group in state championships for artistic gymnastics.
He competed with the team in Brisbane this year thanks to a grant from the Association of Ukrainians in South Australia.
Ethan Macdermott
Age: 15
City: Adelaide Hills, SA
Sport: Basketball
One of the attacking beasts from the U16 National Basketball Championships driving SA Country to the gold medal match. Macdermott was a flamethrower from deep drilling 43 points in a losing effort in the nationals final.
Kale Matthews-Hampton
Age: 15
City: Adelaide Hills, SA
Sport: Basketball
Worked as part of the dynamic duo in that SA Country side alongside Macdermott. Would have been tournament MVP – iof they offered one – with 28.5 points, 6.1 assists and 6.4 steals per game.
Lauren Young
Age: 17
City/state: Adelaide, SA
Sport: Aussie rules football
Young suffered an ACL injury just after winning the 2021 SANFLW best and fairest aged just 15 and spent over a year on the sidelines as her West side struggled through season 2022.
A dominant and athletic forward and midfielder, Young returned to action for season 2023 and put another strong campaign together in which she averaged 19 disposals a game.
She was also part of the 2023 NAB AFLW Academy squad and should be a high AFLW draft pick within the next year or so, likely to Port Adelaide after spending time as one of the club’s academy prospects.
TASMANIA
Jack Callinan
Age: 17
City/state: Hobart, Tasmania
Sport: Aussie rules
Jack is the son of former player Ian and is being touted as a top 30 draft pick in the AFL this year. Was a member of the Allies side that won the Under 18 National Championship last weekend.
Tom Fader & Indy Cooper
Age: 15 & 16
City/state: Hobart, Tasmania
Sport: Sailing
Tom and Indy are two Tasmanians who will compete at the ILCA 4 Youth World Championships for the second year in a row.
James Leake
Age: 18
City/state: Tasmania
Sport: AFL
Leake rose highest in a marking contest with just seconds remaining in the SATIS 1ST XVIII Boys State Final 2023 for St Patrick’s in June. He then went back and goaled to send the match to extra time which his school went onto win.
Mason Ling
Age: 15
City: Penguin, Tasmania
Sport: Basketball
Finished the Under-16 nationals second in the tournament for scoring at 26.5 per game and shooting at beyond 50 per cent from the floor. Loves to attack the rim and was unstoppable when he found a seam. An ace from the charity stripe, shooting 52-of-58 free throws.
Colby McKercher
Age: 18
City: Launceston
Sport: AFL
The silky-skilled Launceston Blues product was a major reason behind the Allies securing their first-ever national championships win earlier this month. He averaged more than 30 disposals a game and is rated by most respected experts as a virtual lock to be taken in the top ten in the AFL Draft.
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden
Age: 18
City: Hobart
Sport: Cyling
The Hobart youngster announced herself to the cycling world by claiming the under-19 road race and time trial double at January’s national titles in Ballarat. She went on to break the pursuit record twice at the national track titles and Oceania track championships at Brisbane in March.
Her exploits have earned her selection at both the junior road and track world championships, at Glasgow and Colombia respectively in August. Not bad for a former hockey player who only first jumped on a bike to stay fit during the Covid lockdown.
VICTORIA
James Anagnostiadis
Age: 13
City/State: Melbourne/Victoria
Sport: Karting
A young star on the rise in karting. Last weekend in Ipswich he won his first ever round in the KA3 Junior series, beating out other talented juniors. He is in contention for the title as well, currently third in the standing, 10 points off the lead, heading into the final round in Melbourne next month.
Hugh Buckby
Age: 16
City/state: Geelong, Victoria
Sport: Basketball
Performed admirably at the under-16 national basketball championships representing country Victoria. Buckby said the experience developed his game considerably, improving his ability to scan the floor and cut down on turnovers. He’s now aiming to make the under-18 country Victoria team.
Toby Clack
Age: 18
City/State: Ballarat, Victoria
Sport: Eightball
A talented student and a great sportsman. Clack won the under-18 world championship in eightball last week in Morocco, beating a fellow Australian in the final. He also won silver in the doubles in the same titles. Last year, he was the dux of the school at St Patrick’s College.
Xavier Eagle
Age: 13
City/state: Hampton, Victoria
Sport: Swimming
The nephew of Olympic Michael Klim won three gold medals at the state swimming titles this year in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. He is also part of the Swimming Victoria talent pathway squad.
Angus Ford
Age: 15
City: Barwon Heads
Sport: Cricket/Aussie rules
The talented Barwon Heads teenager has enjoyed a stellar seven-month period, making his senior debut at bat local football and cricket levels. The 15 year old started in the forward line against Portarlington in round 11 of the BFL after dominating in the under-16s competition. He kicked a goal in the second quarter of the win and was named in the best players. He also made his debut for Barwon Heads in the BPCA2 competition at the age of 14 in December, bowling three overs for just one run against Collendina in his debut.
Brodie Gawith
Age: 17
City: Geelong
Sport: Motorsports
The rising road racing star secured his first win of the Australian Superbike Championship season, and sits second in the leaderboards of the Supersport 300 campaign.
Gawith is eyeing off a move to Europe or America as his blossoming career takes off, having started his career on dirt bikes as a child in local competitions.
Layla Habib
Age: 13
City/state: Victoria
Sport: Football
The future Matilda has earned trials at European clubs Arsenal, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Watford and Brentford in September. She plays for the Oakleigh Cannons and he best position is on the wing but she can also play in the midfield.
Keegan Johnson
Age: 16
City/state: Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
Sport: Basketball
Johnson also performed well at the under-16 national basketball championships representing country Victoria.
He had a particularly strong showing against NSW Country with 17 points and three assists, but reserved his best for the Northern Territory with 16 points and a whopping 10 assists, averaging 12 points a game overall.
Austin Kirikiri
Age: 15
City: Melbourne
Sport: Basketball
Won the gold medal with Victoria Metro at the Under-16 National Championships. Was a dynamo at the one, the driving force behind everything Victoria did right across the week. He led the way for Victoria in the final with 24 points, six rebounds and six steals.
Grace Jones
Age: 18
City: Geelong
Sport: Cricket
One of Geelong’s bright young cricketing talents, Grace Jones, was named the second women’s Renegade Recruit. The 18-year-old leg spinner, who played senior cricket at Armstrong Creek as a teenager, made the switch to Geelong’s premier team ahead of the 2023-24 season, but will spend the pre-season training with the WBBL side.
Lachlan O’Keefe
Age: 17
City/state: Ballarat/Victoria
Sport: High Jump
One of Australia’s best young high jumpers and is on track to compete at the Commonwealth Games in 2026 (when then event finds a new home). Last year he competed in the under-20 world titles for athletics in Colombia. A star of the future.
Maisen Ricketts
Age: 12
City: Geelong
Sport: Baseball
A junior Geelong baseballer received the perfect 12th birthday present in June: national selection for the under-12 Baseball World Cup. Maisen started playing T-ball at Lara Baseball Club at four years old, inspired by his father Joel, who played college baseball in Kansas USA. “It feels like a dream, I’m really looking forward to going overseas to meet and compete against the best in the world,” he said.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
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